Suns vs. Lakers prediction and odds for Friday April 7 (How to bet the total)

The Los Angeles Lakers took a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, but they have a chance to bounce back and stay alive for the No. 6 or No. 5 seed against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Phoenix picked up a win over the Denver Nuggets, who rested all of their starters, on Thursday night. That could lead to the team resting veterans like Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Devin Booker tonight, but head coach Monty Williams didn’t commit to it yet after the game.

Phoenix has not lost a game with Durant in the lineup, so it may be tough to bet on the Lakers, who are favored in this game, until we know Durant’s exact status.

The Lakers are attempting to avoid the play-in tournament in the West, but they’ll need losses from the Golden State Warriors or Clippers to do so.

Here’s a look at the latest odds for this game, as well as my best bet:

Suns vs. Lakers odds, spread and total

Suns vs. Lakers prediction and pick

I wouldn’t mind backing the Lakers in this one since Phoenix has nothing to play for (locked into the No. 4 seed), but Williams clearly wants the team to get some chemistry with Durant.

So, until we know that those players are sitting (the odds suggest they will) then I’m looking to the total for my best bet.

Over the Lakers’ last eight games, they have combined for 226 or more points in each of them, playing at the No. 12 pace in the league and posting the No. 7 offensive rating in that stretch.

That includes a game that ended with 233 combined points against Phoenix.

The Suns’ offense would take a step back if it sits several starters, but we just watched Denver do that against the Suns and put up 115 points in a game that finished with 234 total points.

We can’t forget that these bench guys can play at a high level as well, and with the Lakers’ penchant for pushing the pace, the Suns should have a ton of chances to score tonight.

This total is too low for me not to take a shot on the OVER.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.